Families with Alcoholics & Drug Addicts

Who is affected

The U.S. National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) reports:

13% of children under age 18 live in a household where a parent or other adult uses illicit drugs

24% of children live in a household where a parent or other adult is a binge or heavy drinker

37% of children live in a household where a partner or other adult uses tobacco

Reasons~ Excuses for Substance Abuse

Adults:

RecreationDepressionFeel better/ relaxLow self esteemFamily or societal

pressuresLoss of family/ job

Adolescents:

Peer Pressure

Low self esteem

Poor social skills

Learning disabilities

Escape reality

Party

Who is affected (continued)

6.3 % of an estimated 14 million illicit drug users 6.3 % of an estimated 14 million illicit drug users in 2000 were aged 12 yrs and olderin 2000 were aged 12 yrs and older

More than 7 million youths age More than 7 million youths age 12-20 reported binge 12-20 reported binge drinking in in20042004

“Kids don’t read their parents’ lips

they watch their parents’ actions” (Califano, 2005)(Califano, 2005)

Health Risk Affects on Children of Substance Abusers

Children of substance abuse parents are:

More likely to abuse drugs and alcohol themselves

Are at increased risk of accidents, injuries and academic failure

More likely to suffer conduct disorders, depression or anxiety,

Infants exposed to parents’ second-hand smoke are at greater risk of sudden infant syndrome (SIDS) and over time these children become at greater risk to cancer and heart disease.

Other Risk Factors of Substance Abuse in Families

High cost of substance purchaseMortalityDisruption in employmentLost earningsDestruction of interpersonal & family

relationshipsCost of criminal justice services not only to

the individual & family but also to state & federal agencies

Findings on Female Substance Abuse

Historical denial of female use for yrs.Number of female addicts escalatingSuffer greater medical, family and social

consequencesSupport networks consist mainly of female

friendsMore likely to be referred for treatment by a

health plan’s medical or psychiatric providerMore likely than boys to have received mental

health treatment

Findings on Male Substance Abuse

More research & data availableSuffer greater financial lossesSupport network consists mainly of family

membersMen benefit more from long term

residential rehab than womenMore likely to have been referred for

treatment by the legal system

Genetics and Substance Abuse

A genetic linkage for dependence on drugs such as heroin, morphine and oxycontin may have been identified by researchers at Yale School of Medicine.

“There is evidence of linkage in family groups for symptom cluster traits.” (Gelernter 2006) (Gelernter 2006)

Citations

The Center for Alcohol Marketing & Youth , The Center for Alcohol Marketing & Youth , http://camy.org/research/status0306/status0306execsum.pdf

Califano, J. 2005. The national center on addiction & substance abuse; report finds kids of parents who use drugs prone Califano, J. 2005. The national center on addiction & substance abuse; report finds kids of parents who use drugs prone to physical and mental illlness. Nursing Home & Elder Business Week, May 1, 2005, pg 111to physical and mental illlness. Nursing Home & Elder Business Week, May 1, 2005, pg 111

Davis, M.; Jason, L. 2005. Sex differences in social support and self-efficacy within a recovery community. Journal of Davis, M.; Jason, L. 2005. Sex differences in social support and self-efficacy within a recovery community. Journal of Community Psychology, Vol 36, Ns ¾ pg 259Community Psychology, Vol 36, Ns ¾ pg 259 Gandhi, D. ; 2006. Addiction medicine; involving peers and families in therapy improves treatment outcomes in heroin Gandhi, D. ; 2006. Addiction medicine; involving peers and families in therapy improves treatment outcomes in heroin users. American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Vo 32, iss 2 pgs 177-188users. American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Vo 32, iss 2 pgs 177-188

Gelernter, J. 2006. Drub abuse; large family study pinpoints genetic link in drug addiction, Genomics & Genetics Weekly Gelernter, J. 2006. Drub abuse; large family study pinpoints genetic link in drug addiction, Genomics & Genetics Weekly May 2006. pg 174 May 2006. pg 174

LItzke, C., Glazer, E. 2004. “Quality Time” serves families with a parent in recovery. Holistic Nursing Practice, March/April LItzke, C., Glazer, E. 2004. “Quality Time” serves families with a parent in recovery. Holistic Nursing Practice, March/April 2004 2004

McLean, V. 2006. Drug addicts suffer in silence. USA TODAY, Jul 27, 2006; P. A11. McLean, V. 2006. Drug addicts suffer in silence. USA TODAY, Jul 27, 2006; P. A11. www.usatoday.comwww.usatoday.com

Micheli, D.; Lucia, M.; Formigoni, O. 2004. Drug use by Brazilian students: associations with psychosocial health, Micheli, D.; Lucia, M.; Formigoni, O. 2004. Drug use by Brazilian students: associations with psychosocial health, demographic and behavioral characteristics. Society For the Study of Addiction, Vol. 99 pgs 570-578. demographic and behavioral characteristics. Society For the Study of Addiction, Vol. 99 pgs 570-578.

Orford, J.; Natera, G.; Davies, J.; Nava,A.; Mora, J.; Rigby,K.; Bradbury, C.; Bowie, N.; Copello, A.; Velleman, R.; 1998. Orford, J.; Natera, G.; Davies, J.; Nava,A.; Mora, J.; Rigby,K.; Bradbury, C.; Bowie, N.; Copello, A.; Velleman, R.; 1998. Tolerate, engage or withdraw: a study of the structure of families coping with alcohol and drug problems in South West Tolerate, engage or withdraw: a study of the structure of families coping with alcohol and drug problems in South West England and Mexico City. Addiction; 93, 12 pg 1799England and Mexico City. Addiction; 93, 12 pg 1799

Orford, J. Templeton, L.; Velleman, R.; Copello, A.; 2005. Family members of relatives with alcohol, drug and gambling proglems: a set of standardized questionnaires for assessing stress, coping and strain. Society for Study of Addiction, Vol 100 pgs 1611-1624

Parvisy, S.; Nikbahki, A.; Tehrani, s.; Shahrokhi, S. 2005. Adolescents’ perspectives on addiction: qualitative study; Nursing & Health Sciences Vol 7 pgs 192-198

Sterling, S.; Weisner, C. 2006. Translating research findings into practice: example of treatment services for adolescents in managed care. Alcohol Research and Health, Vol. 29, Iss 1, pg 11, 8 pgs.

Zhou, Q.; King, K.; Chassin, Laurie. 2006. The roles of familial alcoholism and adolescent family harmony in young adults’ substance dependence disorders: mediated and moderated relations Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Vol. 115, No.2, 320-321